Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small, elusive heron species known for its striking greenish-black cap and back, often found in the wetlands of Montreal. This shy bird primarily feeds on fish and frogs and migrates to Mexico during the winter months.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | Green Heron |
| 🇫🇷 | Héron vert |
| 🇩🇪 | Grünreiher |
| 🇲🇽 | Garcita verdosa |
Taxonomy
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
Characteristics
| Length | 41-46cm |
| Weight | 240g |
| Wingspan | 64-68cm |
| Clutch Size | 2-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 19-21 days |
| Fledging | 16-17 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
Explore More
📖 Wikipedia Page: For more information about this species.
Identification and Whereabouts
A distinguishing feature of the Green Heron is its greenish-black cap and back. The neck and sides exhibit a rich red-brown hue.
After an extensive search, I finally observed a Green Heron at a pond located at the northern tip of the Island of Montreal.
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
| Parc des Rapides | - | x | x | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.
Captured Moments
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Hunting Recorded 2023-09-16 in Parc des Rapides
All content on this page — including photos, videos, and field audio recordings — was created by Karl-Heinz Müller, a Montréal-based wildlife filmmaker, sound recordist, and photographer. Founder of MUUUH and Québec Sauvage, he has spent over a decade documenting Canada’s natural habitats through immersive soundscapes and wildlife films. Learn more about Karl-Heinz
Last updated: 2025-01-05